In the next month, I'm going to be shopping for a decent-quality AK. I'm not interested whatsoever in Romanians. It has to be legal for NY, which means no flash hider or bayonet lug. This makes me think I should look for a MAK-90. How is the quality on them? My other option is to go to a local FFL builder and maybe get a semicustom Bulgarian. What are you guys' thoughts?

+1 on the Saiga. If you want a more hard core AK appearance, conversion is very straightforward. I am currently finishing a x39 conversion. Mine functions flawlessly with NY legal pre-ban Hungarian mags and I have not yet installed a bullet guide. If you decide to go this route, feel free to contact me and I'll gladly supply any info and assistance that I can.
vorpal

p.s. The last time that I checked, Herb Phillipsons had Saigas in stock and a Black Friday 10% discount on all firearms.

The Mak 90s were very good guns. imported by China SPorts in the late 89s and early 90s. I would take one today. Do you have round capacity restrictions for you magazines? I know some states have a 10 round max still in place.

+1 on the Saiga. If you want a more hard core AK appearance, conversion is very straightforward. I am currently finishing a x39 conversion. Mine functions flawlessly with NY legal pre-ban Hungarian mags and I have not yet installed a bullet guide. If you decide to go this route, feel free to contact me and I'll gladly supply any info and assistance that I can.
vorpal

p.s. The last time that I checked, Herb Phillipsons had Saigas in stock and a Black Friday 10% discount on all firearms.

ive never seen a saiga at herb's!!!! how much are they getting for them?

My Saiga x39 functions perfectly with both 20 and 30 round Hungarian mags. (Both pre-ban, as you noted.) I've made a bullet guide, but have not installed it yet. The "conversion process involves removing a tiny bit of material from the top of the mag catch. (It took longer to type this than the metal removal took.)
vorpal

My Saiga x39 functions perfectly with both 20 and 30 round Hungarian mags. (Both pre-ban, as you noted.) I've made a bullet guide, but have not installed it yet. The "conversion process involves removing a tiny bit of material from the top of the mag catch. (It took longer to type this than the metal removal took.)
vorpal

I got a Bullet Guide from this site..Dinzag arms... Work very well and you don't have to do any filling on the Saiga factory mags at all.